Best Chocolate-Covered Cherries

By Danielle Nieman

These sweet cherries burst with flavor from a boozy, creamy center and are wrapped in rich milk chocolate, making them the very BEST.

This post is all about how to make the Best Chocolate-Covered Cherries.

Once you pop one of these sweet babies into your mouth, you’ll never want to eat a plain cherry again! These best chocolate-covered cherries are unbelievably delicious, and the first thing that came out of my mouth after trying one was, “OMG, that’s freakin GOOD!”

They also make the ultimate gift, and the ingredients are inexpensive. I recently made these for my dad because he loves chocolate-covered cherries, and I usually spend $30 and buy him a box from See’s Candy for holidays or birthdays. I can honestly say these are better, and he agreed too!

We decided what made these the BEST was soaking them overnight in Amaretto and using high-quality gourmet chocolate by Ghirardelli. You’ll also be happy to hear that they’re easy to make even though some planning and steps are involved.

Best Chocolate-Covered Cherries

Are Cordial Cherries The Same As Chocolate-Covered Cherries?

Almost! Cordial cherries are a confectionery treat wrapped in a fondant-like coating and then dipped in chocolate. After 48 hours, the layer turns into a sweet syrup making cordial cherries.

Chocolate-covered cherries are immersed in a sweet coating that’s not as thick as fondant, making the insides juicier and less syrupy. Some simple recipes call for two-ingredient chocolate-covered cherries, which consist of Maraschinos and chocolate.

What Ingredients Will I Need To Make Homemade Chocolate-Covered Cherries?

The ingredient amounts listed below will make 40 cherries. Also, if you want to purchase a jar of Maraschino cherries with stems, read the labels closely.

• Maraschino Stemmed Cherries or without stems, 16-ounce jar

• Amaretto, 2 cups (optional)

• Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Melting Wafers, 10-ounce bag

• Powdered Sugar, 1 cup

• Butter, room temperature (salted preferred), 2 tablespoons

• Sweetened Condensed Milk, 2 tablespoons

• Almond Extract (preferred) or Vanilla Extract, 1 teaspoon

• Milk, 1 tablespoon

Optional Ingredients: You can drizzle white chocolate on top of the chocolate cherries or decorate them with chocolate or colored sprinkles.

Equipment Needed:

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer (preferred) – You can mix the sugary coating by hand, but it’s easier to use a mixer to ensure the butter is thoroughly incorporated.

• Baking Sheet

• Wax Paper or Parchment Paper

• Paper Towels

• Measuring Cups and Spoons

• Bowl – for soaking cherries.

• Strainer – to drain the cherry juice and amaretto.

Optional Equipment For Gifting Cherries:

• Metallic Mini Candy Liners

• Candy Box – holds one pound of chocolate cherries.

How To Make The Best Chocolate-Covered Cherries, Step-By-Step

Step 1: Drain the cherry juice with a mesh strainer. Add the cherries to a bowl and add two cups of Amaretto. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge to soak overnight (ideal) or for at least three hours.

Tip: Add the cherry juice back to the jar and keep it for an ice cream topper. After the cherries are soaked, I also add the Amaretto to the jar.

Step 2: Next, add the powdered sugar, room temperature butter, sweetened condensed milk, milk, and almond extract to a mixing bowl. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated. The consistency will be a sticky paste. Allow it to chill in the fridge for an hour, or you can keep it in the refrigerator overnight with the soaked cherries.

Step 3: Drain the Amaretto using a mesh strainer after the cherries have finished soaking. Gently pat the cherries dry with paper towels.

Step 4: Line a baking sheet with wax paper and coat each cherry with a teaspoon of the chilled topping. They won’t look perfect, and the sugary paste is very sticky, so be patient.

Step 5: Add the baking sheet to the freezer. Freezing the covered cherries will make dipping them in chocolate much smoother. Freeze them for 2 to 3 hours or overnight.

Tip: Do not remove the frozen cherries from the freezer until your chocolate wafers are melted. The white coating defrosts quickly, and it’s easier to dip the cherries in the warm chocolate while the topping is still frozen.

Step 6: Place a large piece of wax paper on the counter for the cherries. Begin dipping each cherry in a generous amount of chocolate. For the cherries with no stems, you can use a spoon to coat each one. Remove the cherry with the spoon and place it on the wax paper to set up.

Tip: Allow the chocolate to harden before transferring the cherry to a mini-cupcake (candy) liner.

FAQs For The Best Chocolate-Covered Cherries Recipe

How Do You Store Chocolate-Covered Cherries?

You can store Chocolate-Covered Cherries at room temperature in an airtight container for up to eight weeks. After one week, you’ll notice the cherries center will liquefy even more, making them extra juicy and delicious.

Can These Chocolate Cherries Be Frozen?

Yes! I wouldn’t recommend freezing them immediately because they taste best at room temperature, and you’ll want to give the cherries centers time to liquefy. Only freeze them if you have leftover cherries after a couple of months.

How Can I Make Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries?

Easy! Just buy the Ghirardelli dark chocolate melting wafers instead of the milk chocolate.

What Is A Chocolate-Covered Cherry Sometimes Called?

You might hear people refer to them as cordial cherries because they come from the same family and are almost identical in ingredients. However, due to its thick fondant coating, the cordial cherry has more of a syrupy center.

What Is The Best Alcohol Liquor To Soak Cherries In?

I think Amaretto is the best because its almond-like flavor complements the cherries, but you could also use brandy, bourbon, rum, cognac, and even vodka if you wish.

Where Could I Buy Chocolate-Covered Cherries?

Queen Anne’s, Brachs, and Cella’s chocolate cherries can be purchased at most stores like Walmart or even delivered from Amazon, and they are the most inexpensive store-bought brands to buy. See’s Candy, Lindt, and Godiva also make these gourmet candies, but they’re more expensive.

How Can I Get A Liquid Center For Chocolate-Covered Cherries?

Allowing the cherries to sit at room temperature for two weeks (ideally) will give them the proper time to liquefy with the sweet fondant-like coating they were dipped with.

Are These Best Chocolate-Covered Cherries Good For You?

Use dark chocolate for the antioxidants and eat them in moderation. What more can I say?!

Final Thoughts For The Best Chocolate-Covered Cherries

I promise, if you make this delicious, BEST Chocolate-Covered Cherries recipe, you won’t be disappointed! These chocolate candies make perfect gifts for Christmas or any occasion.

Remember to buy the Ghirardelli chocolate wafers for that gourmet See’s Candy effect. Follow career girl meets… on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more home decor ideas, recipes, and gift guides.

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